Proud Omberto, Humbled . . . Or Humbled Omberto, Still Proud: PURGATORIO, Canto XI, Lines 46 - 72

We've come to the first penitent who speaks after the gate of Purgatory: Omberto Aldobrandesco. He's from a storied, titled family, a nobleman brought low. Or is he?Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we hear Omberto's side of the story, try to discern his character through his words, and ponder why Dante makes the first penitent of Purgatory proper so very boring.Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:[01:27] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XI, lines 46 - 72. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please go to my website: markscarbrough.com.[03:55] More decentering in the passage: Is Dante trying to decenter (or humble) the reader?[09:35] Is Omberto Aldobrandesco humbled?[14:12] Or is he still prideful?[15:54] Or is he both?[17:49] Who was Omberto Aldobrandesco?[22:55] Omberto articulates the basic understanding of purgation in PURGATORIO.[25:53] But why does Dante make the first penitent beyond Purgatory's gate so, well, boring?[29:16] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XI, lines 46 - 72.

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Ever wanted to read Dante's Divine Comedy? Come along with us! We're not lost in the scholarly weeds. (Mostly.) We're strolling through the greatest work (to date) of Western literature. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as I take on this masterpiece passage by passage. I'll give you my rough English translation, show you some of the interpretive knots in the lines, let you in on the 700 years of commentary, and connect Dante's work to our modern world. The pilgrim comes awake in a dark wood, then walks across the known universe. New episodes every Sunday and Wednesday.